The Blue Monk Is Closing Next Week

The Blue Monk, the Southeast Belmont bar and music venue, is closing permanently next week.

According to employees, the lease was bought out by an undisclosed party.

The venue, which was primarily known for holding jazz shows, found itself at the center of a local controversy in March, when police presence caused a hip-hop show in the club's basement to end early.

Here is the closing announcement posted on the Blue Monk's Facebook page:

After over a decade of providing entertainment to the Belmont area, The Blue Monk will be closing it's doors on Tuesday, April 29th. We are proud to have become possibly the most diverse venue in Portland with a little bit of something for everyone, including: poetry, literary events, belly dance, comedy, pop, folk, bluegrass, swing, rock, funk, soul, electronica, hip-hop, and of course, jazz. There is just one week to stop by to say farewell, check out some great live music, and/or enjoy your favorite menu items. We would love to see you before we go and extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the customers, performers, promoters, and employees that have made us who we are.

Here is the live music lineup for the club's final week. Our pick? St. Johns rap collective the Resistance.